Brown Girl Dreaming by: Jacqueline Woodson
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Woodson, J. 2014. BROWN GIRL DREAMING. Nancy Paulsen Books.
ISBN 978-0-399-25251-8
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS( INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This beautifully written poetic account of the life of Jacqueline Woodson is the author’s own story which illustrates her journey through a time when, even though slavery had ended over one hundred years prior, manifested itself under different names. Names such as discrimination, segregation, and racism were the norm and even part of the culture for many. Woodson vividly describes her experiences as a child and often uses short phrases, yet are to the point and convey a powerful message. The descriptions of the sounds, smells, and sights of the South are described in such a way that they immediately transport the reader into the author’s world.
Woodson’s reference to culture takes the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions as she demonstrates how Jacqueline and her siblings struggled to adapt to their new surroundings since they were constantly moving to escape the vicious cycle of the newly-labeled form of slavery they now have to deal with. The author recounts how when she came back from Ohio, her mother punished them for saying “ain’t” any of the other abbreviated nonsense words. They are told to speak crisply and clearly. Abandoning their old ways was difficult, but they adapted. Woodson, however, shows how even though the children were leaving their upbringing behind, their grandmother still abides by the old ways, such as sitting at the back of the bus and not going into formerly segregated establishments such as restaurants. “Don’t want to cause problems”, Grandma says. Two significant quotes from Jacqueline exemplify her struggle, confusion and frustration with her ever-changing world. “We belong in two different worlds.” and “We don’t know how to come home and leave home” are two quotes that show how Jacqueline and her siblings have problems switching from one way of life to another. Woodson finally shows the reader how, through the many experiences and troubles, she finally reconciles her ideas and creates a culture of her own. Through writing, she finds her voice and melds her old ways along with her new experiences to create a culture of acceptance, love, and strength.
This book is excellent for students from 5th grade and above since it requires some knowledge of references made to different movements of that era. I feel many students, especially recent immigrants, can relate to this book as they may have experienced, or are experiencing, Woodson’s journey.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
2015 Coretta Scott King Book Awards – Author Award Winner
2015 Newbery Honor Book
2014 National Book Award Winner – Young People’s Literature
School Library Journal: “This should be on every library shelf.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Woodson cherishes her memories and shares them with a graceful lyricism; her lovingly wrought vignettes of country and city streets will linger long after the page is turned.”
The Horn Book: “A memoir-in-verse so immediate that readers will feel they are experiencing the author’s childhood right along with her.”
E. CONNECTIONS
Students can research historical events and figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and create a trifold presentation or through another medium.
Students can do a character analysis and track how Jacqueline changes from the beginning of the story to the end.
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LOCOMOTION. ISBN:978-0142415528
HUSH. ISBN: 978-0142415511
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